Circuit breaker



March 20, 1934. w. H. FRANK, 2D, ET Al. 1,952,039

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Dec. 7, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 gg INVENTORB BQAJM.

A TTORNE Y.

W. H. FRANK, 2D, El'- AL March 20, 1934.

` CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Dec. 7, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS fwuqdf. .T-Az

,a ATTORNEY March 20, 1934. w. H. FRANK, 2D, Er AL 1,952,039

CIRCUIT BRBAKER Filed Deo. 7, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY' Patented Mar. v20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE CIRCUIT BREAKER tion of West Virginia Application December 7, 1931, Serial No. 579,482

23 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit breakers.

An object of this invention is a circuit breaker having a pair of contacts which are to be connected to each other when the circuit thru the breaker is to be completed. One of the contacts is connected to one side of the line directly and the other is connected to the other side of the line thru a bi-metallic warping element which, when heated due to an overload, warps and causes the breaker. to open, or thru an electro-magnetic element which, when energized, due to an overload, trips a pawl and causes the breaker to open.

Another object of therinvention is a breaker of the class above Adescribed having a switch arm, an operating handle, a pawl held in place by the warping or electro-magnetic holding element and controlling movement of the arm from on to overload oil positions, and means connecting the foregoing parts, whereby the arm may be moved from overload off to normal off position without passing thru on position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the arm rotates to and from on and oil positions, and when it is to be moved from its overload ofi position to its normal oiT position, it caused to rotate thru an arc remote from the =1 .i i.: traversed by its when moved from on to olf. position. In this embodiment the arm traverses an arc of 360 degrees when it is moved from its on position, thru its overload ofi position and its normal off position, back to its on position.

In another embodiment of the invention the arm is connected to a link having a pivotal mounting on the frame of the breaker. The pivotal mounting is shiftable so as to assume either one of two different positions, being maintained in one position during the normal movement of the switch armfrom the on to off positions, and vice versa, and being shifted to another position upon resetting the breaker after the parts have been moved by the overload or short circuitmovement of the warping or electromignetic overload member. The pivotal mounting is shifted upon resetting the breaker, so that the arm and link, in moving as a unit, will move through an arc having a different center than the one used during normal operation, and will move from its overload off position to its normal off position, without passing through the on position.

I f desired the parts may be so proportioned that the pivotal mounting is shifted to its off position upon the release of the pawl, or as the switch arm moves from its on position to its overload off position.

In still another embodiment of the invention the above described shifting of the pivotal mounting, to its two positions is controlled by the handle member, so that the center is shifted during the normal movement of the switch arm from on to ofi position, as well as during the resetting movement.

A still further object of this invention is a circuit breaker which is trip-free and which cannot be held in the on position while an overload or short circuit condition exists in the circuit that is controlled.A

A still further object of this invention is a breaker having means to cause the switch arm, when it is moving from its on position to its overload oi position, to reset the tripping pawl, so that 'when the thermostatic element cools and returns to its normal position, the pawl and tripping element are in their normal co-operative positions. This procedure avoids the necessity of springing the tripping pawl past the catch in the thermostatic element after the element has cooled., thus relieving the strain on the thermostatic element and permitting it to retain its original calibration, which would otherwise be disturbed.

Another object of this invention is a breaker having a novel tripping pawl and thermostatic element design, one which places only a small fraction of the stress of the operating springs upon the thermal element. In one embodiment, the design is such that when the circuit breaker is in its normal oi position there is no strain at all on the thermal element.

Still further, in some of the embodiments of the invention, the means for operating the switch arm includes toggle linkage, whereby positive Contact between parts is insured, when they are in the on pz-sition.'

Another object of this invention is a circuit breaker having a quick-make to .on position and a quick break to both normal off and overload off positions, the snap acticn to be independent of the personal control of the operator. Further, in one embodiment of the invention, the resetting of the overload oi to normal 01T is accomplished with a quick or snap action as Well.

A still further object of this invention is a circuit breaker in which the handle, by assuming different positions in each of the normal on, off and overload ou positions, indicates the position of the switch arm.

Still further objects will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1-4 are cut away elevation views of one embodiment of the invention in on and overload oi, intermediate, normal off or reset positions, respectively.

Fig. 5 is an illustrative section as if on line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 6-8 arecut away elevation views of another embodiment, in on, overload ofi", normal 01T or "reset positions, respectively.

Fig'. 8a shows a detail in perspective.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cut away elevation views of another embodiment in on and overload off posi` tions, respectively.

Figs. 11-13 are cut away elevation views of a fourth embodiment in on, overload olf, and normal off or reset positions, respectively.

Figs. 14 and 15 are end views, as if in the direction of arrows 14 and 15, of Fig. 11, respectively, parts being omitted for purposes of clarity.

Fig. 16 isa disproportionate structural diagrammatic view of the device.

The device of Figs. 1-5 inclusive includes a base 20 upon which are secured the remaining parts, there being a casing 22 enclosing the device.

On the base, are spaced contacts 24 which are adapted to be bridged by the contact 25 on the free end of a switch arm 26. This part is later referred to as the operated element of the breaker. One of the contacts 24 is connected to the line and the other is connected to one leg of the thermostatic or bi-metallic warping element 27, the other leg of the latter being connected to the load. When the switch arm is in on position current ows through contacts 24, 25 and 24, and through the warping element 27.

The switch arm 26, at its end opposite the one having the contact 25, is rigidly secured to one of the throws 29 of a crank 30 which is provided with two outboard bearings 31, one of which is journalled in the vertical front plate 32 and the other in the vertical back plate 33, these being secured to the base. The crank 30 is later referred to as the operating element of the breaker. Connecting these plates is a shaft 34 which forms a pivotal support for the operating bell crank 35, the latter having an extension 36 forming a handle and projecting through a slot 37 in the horizontal wall of the casing. To the end 38 of the bell crank is secured one end of a coiled tension resisting spring 38, whose other end is secured to the crank 30.

The parts just described form a simple overcenter quick make and break switch which operates as follows: Assume the parts to be in on position, Fig. 1. When the handle 36 is moved to the left, the bell crank rotates counterclockwise, or until an edge part 40 thereof engages the upper edge of crank 30, pushing the latter down around pivot 31, clockwise. As the handle 36 moves the crank 30 independently of the spring 39, it serves to push the switch arm 26 to the off position, positively, so as to free the contacts if they should stick, in case the spring is not strong enough in itself to accomplish this function. Continued stress in this direction, moves bell crank end 38 down, or until spring 39 is over center. pressure of part 40 on crank 30, and the overcenter pull thereon of spring 39 causes arm 26 to move tothe position of Fig. 4, or to switch off position.

The arm 26 is held in this switch off position, and restrained from moving clockwise by The a stop 40a formed on a pawl 42 later to be described, this stop engaging the left side of crank 30 when the latter is in off position and restraining it from moving to the left or clockwise.

Reverse movement of handle 36, to the right, will raise bell crank end 38 up, and first raise spring 39 over center, and will then pull on spring 39. This pull on spring 39 acts upward on crank 30 and causes it, together with arm 26, to rotate counterclockwise, or until Contact 25 again bridges contacts 24. Upward travel of crank 30, beyond switch on position is prevented by its being engaged by hook end 41 of the pawl 42 the latter being pivoted on the back plate 33 at 43, and being held rigid by the tongue 44 of the warping element 27 and by the downward pull of a coiled tension resisting spring 45, connecting the base with the end 46 of the pawl 42.

The foregoing parts, in conjunction with other parts, to be described below, serve to move contact arm from on position to a second or overload 01T position, when element 27 warps to the right, due to an overload in the line, and also serve to enable the operator to reset the switch by moving arm 26 from its overload off position to its switch oif position without having to cause contact arm 26 to pass thru Aits on position, and

f these operations are carried on as follows:

Assume the switch to be in on position. When the element 27 warps (to the right) its tongue 44 releases pawl end 46, permitting spring 45 to rotate pawl 42 clockwise on pivot 43. This action removes hook end 41 from the path of crank 30 and permits spring 39 to pull upwardly on the latter, rotating it and arm 26 counterclockwise, or to the position shown in Fig. 2 and known as overload off, breaking the circuit.

A latch plate 50 pivoted on bell crank 35 at 51 and connected to a coiled tension resisting spring 52 which is anchored at 53 to the bell crank prevents the arm 26 from continuing its counterclockwise movement, the plate engaging crank 30.

When the parts are to be reset, that is to say, when arm 26 is to be moved from overload off (Fig. 2) to switch'oif, Fig. 4, handle 36 is moved to the right. Latchplate 50 moving with bell crank 35, becomes free of the crank 30, and the latter, subject to the inuence of spring 39, then rotates with the arm 26, counterclockwise, to the position of Fig. 3.

'I'he handle 36 is then moved to the left. Bell crank 35 rotates counterclockwise or until latch plate 50 carried thereby engages crank 30 rotating it counterclockwise to switch off position. A pin 56, carried by bell crank 35. in the meantime, presses on hook end 41 of pawl 42, rotating the latter counterclockwise, until its end 46 snaps over tongue 44 of warping element 27, resetting the parts, to the switch oil position oi' Fig. 4.

It will also be seen that the timing of the parts is such that pawl 42 does not move out of its overload off position into reset position until after crank 30 has moved into its normal off or reset position, past where stop 40a will be when pawl 42 is reset. This prevents interference between stop 40a and crank 30, as the latter moves across the path of movement of the former.

It will be seen that arm 26, (namely, the operated element) and crank 30, (the operating element) move from overload off position to switch oi position, (reset position) without passing thru switch on position and that in their travel from and back to switch on (Fig. 1) they travel thru an ril() arc of -360 degrees thru overload off (Fig. 2) and switch oi (Fig. 4) positions.

It will also be seen that arm 26, the operated element, has its normal off and its overload off positions on opposite sides of its on position.

In Figs. 6 to 8 there is shown a device having three positions, on (Fig. 6), overload off (Fig. 7), and switch off (Fig. 8).

The device includes a base 60 having a pair of contacts 61 which are to be bridged by a contact 62 on arm 63, and a thermostatic or bimetallic warping element, one of whose legs is connected to a contact 61 and the other to a line. The arm 63 is pivoted at 64 to a front plate 65 and is connected, at 66 to the end of a link 67 (the operated element) which is pivotally connected to the crank 68 (the operating element), the latter having outboard bearings69 (the support for the operated element) journalled in the front plate 65 and the back plate 70. These plates also journal the pivot 64 for the arm 63.

Pivotally secured to the back plate at 74 is an operating arm or handle 75 and a coiled tension resisting spring` 76 connects the end 77 of the arm with the crank 68.

A pawl 80 pivoted on the front plate at 8l, has an end 82, held down, in on position by a tongue 83 of warping element -T and held up, in on position by a coiled tension resisting spring 85, connected to the pawl 86 and to the base at 87. A hook end 88 in on position, is in the path of movement of the crank 68 and prevents the latter from moving to the right, due to the influence of spring '76.

When the parts are in on position, tongue 83 and spring hold pawl 80 with its end 88 against crank 68. Spring 76 pulls upwardly and to the right on crank 68 moving it against pawl end 88.

When the switch is to be moved to off position Y (Fig. 8) arm 75 is moved to the left, or counterclockwise on its pivot. A part 89 of its lower edge engages crank 68, rotating' the latter clockwise on bearings 69. As the handle 77 moves the crank 68 independently of the spring 76, it serves to push the switch arm 63 to the off position positively, so as to free the contacts if they should stick in case the spring is not strong enough in itself to accomplish this function.

When crank 68 gets over center, spring 76 pulls upwardly on it completing the moving of crank 68 to its extreme left position. The link 67 is pulled upwardly by such movement of crank 68 and pulls arm 63 up and out of its contact making position.

A hook 90 on the upper edge of pawl 80 prevents the spring '76 from pulling crank 68 up and beyond its oi position.

Reverse movement of arm 75 to the right, causes spring 76 to pull crank 68 over center and to the right, counterclockwise, pushing down on link 67 and moving arm 63 to switch on position.

When an overload occurs and the warping element warps (to the left) pawl 80 is released due to the fact that tongue 83 no longer holds pawl end 82 down, and due to the pull at 86, of spring 85. Hook part 88 of pawl 80 no longer prevents spring 76 from pulling upwardly on crank 68 and the latter then rotates counterclockwise, due to the pull of spring 76. Link 67 now moves up pulling arm 63 up and out'of contact making on position. All of the parts have assumed the position shown in Fig. 7, namely, overload oi position.

To reset the device, that is to move the parts from overload off position (Fig. 7) to off position (Fig. '8), the handle 75 is moved to the left. A. lug on its lower edge engages the crank 68 which was in an elevated position, and rolls it further counterclockwise, on bearings 69, or until it engages an extension 92 on pawl 80. Continued movement of the handle causes pawl 80 to rotate to its normal position, end 82 passing by and under tongue 83 until it is held by the latter. At the same time crank 68 is rotated still further counterclockwise, or until it passes beyond hook 90 on the upper edge of pawl 80. The crank then catches behind this hook and all parts assume their oi or reset position (Fig. 8).

It is to be noted that the contacts are separated farther in the overload off position than in the normal off position, thus giving the switch more rupturing capacity when large currents are to be ruptured.

It will also be noted that because of the different direction of stress which the spring 76 exerts on the handle member 77, the handle '77 will assume a different position under overload off condition than in either the normal off or the normal on condition, and will thus serve to indicate the position of the switching member 63.

Further, the crank member 68, together with the crank member 67, forms a straight toggle linkage which insures a positive contact action on the switch arm 63.

It will be noted that the operated element 67 has its overload oir and normal off positions on opposite sides of its on position.

It will also be noted that crank 68, the operating element, moves thru a cycle of 360 from on to overload off to normal off to on.

It will also be noted that the center 69, about which moves the operated element in its manual switching operations and in its reset operation, remains xed, and that the operated element moves in two diierent paths on these two operations.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown a device having three positionson (Fig. 9-full lines), off (Fig. 9--dotted lines) and overload off (Fig. 10).

The device includes a base 100 having a pair of contacts 101 which are to be bridged by the contact end 102 of arm 103, and a thermostatic or bimetallic warping element T, one of whose legs is connected to a contact 101 and the other to a line. The arm 103 is pivoted at 104 to an upwardly extending part 105 rigidly secured to the base, behind the front plate (not shown). At 106 the arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of a link 107 (the operated element) which, at its upper end, is pivotally connected to the crank 108 (the operating element), the latter having outboard bearings 109 (the support for link 107) journalled in slots 1090. in the front plate and the back plate 110.

Pivotally secured to the latter, at 114 is an operating arm or handle 115, and a coiled tension resisting spring ,116 connects the handle, at 117, with the crank 108.

A pawl 120, pivoted on 'the back plate at 121, has an end 122 held down, in on position by a tongue 123 of warping element T, and held up, in on position by a coiled tension resisting spring 125, connected to the pawl at 126, and to an upwardly extending part of the base at 127. The pawl has an aperture therein, of considerable size, and an upper edge portion 128 thereof, is in the path of movement of crank 108, to pervent the latter from moving to the right, due to the inuence of spring 116.

When the parts are in on position (full lines- Fig. 9) tongue 123 and spring 125 hold pawl 120 with its edge portion 128 against crank 108. Spring 116 pulls upwardly and to the right on crank 108, moving it against pawl edge 128, the bearings 109 of the crank being in the upper right hand part of slots 109e.

When the switch is to be moved to off position (dotted lines-Fig. 9), arm 115 is moved to the left, or counterclockwise ony its pivot. A roller 129 on its lower end engages a portion 1291) of pawl 120 and moves the latter also counterclockwise on its pivot 121. The portion 128 of the pawl aperture then engages crank 108 and moves it to the left, or clockwise on its bearings 109. As the pawl 120, through its engagement with the handle 115 moves the crank 108 independently of the spring 116, it serves to push the switch arm 103 to the off position positively, so as to free the contacts if they should stick, in case the spring is not strong enough in itself to accomplish this function. When the crank gets over center, spring 116 pulls upwardly on it, completing the moving of thecrank 108 to its extreme left position, the bearings 109 remaining in the upper right hand parts of slots 109a, due to the upward pull of spring 116. The link 107 is pulled upwardly by such movementl of crank 108 and pulls arm 103 up and out of its contact making position. A portion 130 on the upper edge of the aperture of pawl 120 prevents the spring 116 from pulling crank 108 up and beyond its oi position.

Reverse movement of arm 115, to the right, causes spring 116 to pull crank 108 over center and to the right, counterclockwise, pushing down y on link 107 and moving arm 103 to switch on position.

When an overload occurs and warping element T warps (to the left) pawl 120 is released due to thefact that tongue 123 no longer holdsl pawl end 122 down and due to the pull at 126 of spring 125, Edge part 128 of pawl 120 no longer prevents spring 116 from pulling upwardly on crank 108 and the latter then rotates counterclockwise, due to the pull of spring 116. The upward pull of spring 116 keeps bearings 109 in/ the upper parts of slots 109a. Link 107 now moves up, pulling arm 103 up and out of contact making or on position. All of the parts have assumed the 'position shown in Fig. 10, namely, overload oil position.

It is to be noted that the switch arm 103 assumes a position farther away from the xed contacts 101 in the overload off position than in the normal off position, (as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 9). This gives the switch a greater rupturing capacity when required to rupture the short circuit or overload currents, than would otherwise be the case.

Further, the normal off and overload off positions of the operated element are on opposite sides of the on position thereof.

Further, the center 109, about which moves the operated element 107, shifts so asto have a different position on manual switching than on reset. This fact, accompanied by the fact that the operated element 107 moves in two different paths on these operations, provides the satisfactory operation of the breaker.

To reset the device, that is, to move the parts from overload off position (Fig. 10) to off position (Fig. 9--dotted lines), the handle 115 is moved to the left. Roller 129 on its lower end vengages part 129a of pawl 120 and rotates the latter counterclockwise or until its end 122 passes by and under tongue 123 of element T, the latter then holding the pawl in the position of Fig. 9S At the same time, a part of the upper edge of the pawl aperture engages the crank which was in elevated position and rolls it back or clockwise, on bearings 109, or until it gets over center, at which time spring 116 pulls it over to the extreme left of oif position, against part 130 of the pawl aperture edge. While the crank is being rotated and before it moves over center, its bearings 109 are being moved to the left and downwardly in slots 109a, they being no longer held up by springs 116, whose tension had been relieved by its having pulled the crank up to its extreme upper position. When the crank moves over center, the spring is again tensioned and pulls bearings 109 up in slots 109a once more. This shift in the position of the crank bearings effects a transposition of link 107, enabling it to be moved down, with crank 108 dur- `ing resetting without causing contact 102 to engage contacts 103, although it approaches such contacts during resetting. The parts have thus been shown to have assumed their oi or reset position. The crank member 108, together with the link 107, forms a straight toggle linkage which insures a positive contact action on the switch arm 103.

In Figs. 11-16 there is shown adevice having three positions, on (Fig. 11), overload off (Fig. 12) and switch or normal off or' reset, (Fig. 13).

The device includes a base 140 having a line contact 141 which may bev contacted with by contact 142 on the end of contact arm 143, and a thermostatic or bimetallic warping element T4, one of whose legs is connected to contact arm 143, by a flexible jumper 143a, and the other of whose legs is connected to a line. The arm 143 is journalled on pin 144, between the upwardly extending plate of frame 145, rigidly secured to the base. At 146 the arm is pivotally connected to the lower ends of links 147 (the operated elements), which, at their upper ends arepivotally connected to the lower ends of links 148, this connection including an axle pin 149. The upper ends of links 148 are connected by a pin-150 to an upwardly projecting member 151 having spaced fingers 151a and 1515, and journalled in the frame 145 at 152.

The contact arm journal pin 144 also journals the operating arm or handle 153, the latter including cutout plates 154'partially enclosing the frame 145 and the parts therein contained, and an arcuate bridge 154a surmounted by a cross piece 155, provided with a manipulating nger 156.

The handle plates 154 are cut out as shown at 157, and are connected at bridge lugs 158, to the upper ends of coiled tension resisting springs 159, which at their lower ends, are connected to axle pin 149. 'Ihese springs tend to pull upwardly on pin 149, when the parts are at rest in on position, and movement of the pin, together with movement of the linkage, is prevented by a pawl 160, journalled in frame 145 at 161, and provided with a lug 162 which is engaged by pin 149 preventing it and the linkage from moving. 'I'he pawl is guided securely in its on position by a cross piece 163 connecting the frame plates and provided with a slot 164 thru which the left end of the pawl passes. The right end 165 of the pawl is held down by the shoulder 166 on the warping element. 'I'he bridge 154a is also provided with a downwardly projecting striker 168 disposed between the fingers 151a and 151b of the member 151 and as moved, engages one or the other of them to shift the pivotal mounting 150 and the toggle linkage 147-148 to either of its two positions against the frame (Figs. 11 and 13).

When handle 156 is moved to the right, striker 168 will engage 'finger 151a vto rotate member 151 clockwise on its pivot 152. Its lower end, the pivotal mounting 150 for the links 148, will shift to the left, while the moving of the anchorage lugs 158 of the springs 159 will cause the line of action of the springs to be shifted to the right. When the line of action of the springs crosses the pivotal 150 the pull of the springs 159 will collapse the toggle linkage 147-148 to the right and force the pivot 150 up and to the left, until the parts are moved against certain frame parts and there held at rest in the normal off position. The sudden collapse of the toggle 147-148, together with the upper shifting of their pivotal mounting 150, causes the arm 143 to snap the contact 142 away from contact 141, effecting a quick rupturing of the circuit. The lost motion between the striker 168 and fingers 151a and 151D permits the snap action independent of the handle 156. Also, the parts are preferably proportioned and timed so that the pivotal mounting the leftii Striker 168Wil1 engage finger 151D to` rotate member 151 counterclockwise, shifting the lower end of the latter down and to the right. The early part of such movement will move link 148 bodily down and to the right until center 149 moves against the right side of the frame. Further movement of link 148 down. and to the right will cause `center 149 to ride down, along the frame edge. The springs 159 will be stressed and their lines of action will be moved to the left until they cross the pivot 150, whereupon they will snap the toggle 147-148 to its on or straight line position against the frame 145. Springs 159 will I continue to pull upon pin 149 and will maintain the parts at rest in that position.

When the parts are in the on position and an overload in the circuit causes element T4 to Warp to the right, pawl 160 is no longer held firmly. Accordingly, springs 159, pulling up and to the left, will pull pin 149 up and to the left, moving pawl lug 162 and pawl 160 out of the path of movement of the pin 149. Upward pull on the pin 149 will cause the collapse of the toggle 147- 148 up and to the left in a manner obvious from the foregoing and the parts will come to rest under reduced spring tension in overload off position (Fig. 12).

After pin 149 is clear of pawl lug 162, switch arm 143 strikes the'left hand end of the pawl 160, forcing it back to its lnormal position and holding it there. After element T4 cools and returns to its normal position, the right end 165 of the pawl is maintained under the shoulder 166 of the warping element T4. By resetting pawl 160 before the element T4 cools and returns to its normal position, it becomes unnecessary to force right end 165 of the pawl 160 past the shoulder 166 on the element T4. Thus no strains are put on the warping member T4 which would tend to destroy its original calibration.v

In event the pawl member 160 is not completely reset in the manner above described, it is completely reset as follows: As the handle 156 is moved to the right to reset the'breaker from the overload off position to the normal off position, a lug 170 in the operating arm plate 154 engages a lug 171 on the right side of pawl`160 to move the latter clockwise on its pivot until the pawl end 165 passes down and below warping element shoulder 166.

When the parts are to be moved from overload off position to be reset for normal use they are moved to normal 01T position from where they can be moved to on position if it is so desired. To reset, handle 156 is moved to the right toward normal off position. Striker 168 will engage finger 141a to move the member clockwise, shifting the lower end of the latter, pivotal mounting 150 for toggle 147-148, up and to the left to a stop against the inner end of the frame 145 and straightening the toggle 147-148 toward the on position. Meanwhile the line of action of springs 159 is being moved to the right. As the line of action of springs 159 crosses pivot 150 the stress of the springs snap the toggle to the right to co1- lapsed position as shown in Fig. 13).

The proportioning of the parts and the timing is such that pivot 150 reaches its upper position before the toggle 147-148 reaches the straight line on position, in order that contact 142 Will not touch contact 141. Thus the parts are reset from the overload off position to the normal on position without passing through the on position.

The handle operating arms 154 are cut out to provide surfaces and lugs which engage pin 149 to initiate movement of the toggles 147-148 to its collapsed or made positions positively, and independently of the springs 159. For example, the lug 173 on the handle arms 154 engages pin 149 when the handle 156 is moved to off position to move the pin, if it had not already been moved means takes place before the holding means spontaneously resets; that is to say, pawl 160 is reset 1. In a circuit breaker having a pair of con- A tacts and a holding element, one of the contacts being connected to one side of the line directly, and the other being connectedto the other side of the line thru the holding element, means to connect the contacts so as to complete the circuit therethru, said means including a switch arm, an operating handle, a spring connecting the arm and the handle and constantly tending to move the arm out of its on position, a pawl which, when held in place by the holding element resists such tendency of the spring and which, when released by the element, releases the arm and permits the spring to move it to an overload off position, and means connecting the handle and the arm for permitting the latter to be moved by the former from overload off position to normal off position, without its being passed thru on position, the arm traversing an arc of 360 degrees when moved from its on position thru its overload oi position and its normal off position, back to its on position.

2. In a circuit breaker, a pawl, an velement normally holding said pawl in one position and constructed to be influenced by extraordinary circuit conditions in such a manner as to move and thus release said pawl, an operated element normally held in circuit closing position by said pawl, and releasable on pawl release to move to open circuit position, the operated element being so mounted with respect to said pawl as to move the latter to its normal position as and when the operated element moves to open circuit position on pawl release, and before the holding element has returned to its pawl holding position.

3. In a circuit breaker, an operating handle, an operated element, a linkage connecting the handle and the element, resilient means also connecting the handle and the element and serving to move the linkage and the element when the handle is moved for quick make and quick break movement of the element, and non-resilient means for moving the linkage and the element in the event the resilient means had failed to function as set forth.

4. In a circuit breaker of the trip-free type, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor comprising an operating handle for moving the element to and from on and normal off gpositions, a toggle mechanism, and an overcenter, quick make and break spring operatively connecting the element and the handle and constantly tending to move the element out of its on position, holding means responsive to abnormal load conditions, arranged to hold the operating mechanism in on position during normal load conditions, in opposition to the spring, and to release the operating mechanism, for spring-biased movement to an abnormal off position, upon the arising of an abnormal load condition, the toggle and spring parts being arranged to have their normal off and overload off positions on opposite sides of the on position, the toggle parts reversing themselves when moving out of their on position. 4

5. In a circuit breaker of the trip-free type, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor comprising an operating handle for moving the element to and from on and normal off positions, a toggle mechanism, and an over-center, quick make and break spring operatively connecting the element and the handle and constantly tending to move the element out of its on position, holding means responsive to abnormal load conditions, arranged to hold the operating mechanism in on position during normal load conditions, in opposition to the spring, and to release the operating mechanism, for springbiased movement to an abnormal off position, upon the arising of an abnormal load condition, the toggle and spring parts being arranged to have their normal off and overload off positions on opposite sides of the on position, the toggle parts reversing themselves when moving out of their on position, the breaker having means operating during movement of the parts to abnormal off position for automatically resetting the previously released holding means.

6. In a trip-free circuit breaker, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor including a toggle linkage and an over center, quick make and break spring, the toggle being made" for on position of the element in opposition to the spring, manually operable means including the spring for breaking the toggle to one side of its on position for normal off movement of the element, and automatically operable means, responsive to an abnormal condition of the circuit, and including the spring, for breaking the toggle to the other side of its on position for abnormal off movement of the element.

7. In a trip-free circuit breaker, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor including a toggle linkage and an over center, quick make and break spring, the toggle being made for on position of the element in opposition to the spring, manually operablev means including thetspring for breaking the toggle to one side of its .on position for normal off movement of the element, and automatically operable means, responsive to an abnormal condition of the circuit, and including the spring, for breaking the toggle to the other side of its on position for abnormal off movement of the element, the spring functioning on the toggle in all its breaking movements, to insure quick break.

8. In a trip-free circuit breaker, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor including a toggle linkage and an over center, quick make and break spring, the toggle being made for on position of the element in opposition to the spring, manually operable means including the spring for breaking the toggle to one side of its on position for normal off movement of the element, and automatically operable means, responsive to an abnormal condition of the circuit, and including the spring, for breaking the toggle to the other side of its on position for abnormal off movement of the element, the last mentioned means including parts normally holding the toggle made, inl opposition to the spring, and arranged to release the toggle, for springbiased movement, upon the arising of an abnormal circuit condition.

9. In a trip-free circuit breaker, a circuit closing element, and operating means therefor including a toggle linkage and an over center, quick makeand break spring, the toggle being made for on position of the element in opposition to the spring, manually operable means including the spring for breaking the toggle to one side of its on, position for normal off" movement of the element, and automatically operable means, responsive to an abnormal condition of the circuit, and including the spring, for breaking the toggle to the other side of its "on" position for abnormal off movement of the element, the last mentioned means including parts normally holding the toggle made, in opposition to the spring, and arranged to release the toggle, for springbiased movement,`upon the arising of an abnormal circuit condition, the breaker having means operating during abnormal off togglebreak for automatically resetting the previously released holding parts.

10. In a circuit breaker, an operated element, a spring for moving the element out of on position, automatically releasable holding means normally holding the element in on position, in opposition to the spring, the element operating during its movement out of on position, following automatic release of the holding means, to reset a part of the latter to element-holding position,

lit]

and before the remainder of the holding `means returns to element-holding position.

1l. In a circuit breaker, a circuit closing, contact making element, having an on position, a normal olf position, and an overload off position, the off positions -being on opposite sides of the on position.

12. In a circuit breaker, a circuit closing, contact making element, having an on position, a normal oi position,.and an overload off position, the ofi' positions being on opposite sides of the on position, and means to move the element from overload off position to normal off position Without causing it to pass through on position.

13. In a circuit breaker, a circuit closing, contact making element, having an on position, a normal off position, and an overload off position, the off positions being on opposite sides of the on position, and means to move the element from on position, through overload off position, and normal off position, in the order named, then back to on position, through anarc of 360, Without the path doubling back on itself.

14. In a circuit breaker, an operating element, an operated circuit-'controlling element, overload release holding means normally holding said operated element in on position and automatically operable to release said operated element on overload, the operated element being constructed to reset a part of said holding means automatically after release movement .of the latter, as and when the operated element moves out of on position on release, and before the remainder of the holding means returns to holding position.

15. In a circuit breaker, an operating element, an operated circuit-controlling element, overload release holding means normally holding said operated element in on position and automatically operable to release said operated element on overload, the operated element being constructed to reset a part of said holding means automaticallyafter release movement of the latter, as and when the operated element moves `out of on-position on release, and before the remainder of the holding means returns to. holding position, without requiring a.- reset movement of the operating element.

I16. Ina circuit breaker, anoperating element, an operated spring-controlled circuit-controlling element, overload release holding means normally holding said operated element in on position and automatically operable to release s aid operated element on overload, the operated element being constructed to reset a part of said holding means automatically after releasel movement of the latter, as and when the operated element moves out' of on position on release, and before the remainder of the holding means returns to holding position.

17. In a circuit breaker, a spring-controlled, operated, circuit-controlling element constructed to have an on position, a normal off position, and an overload off position, the off positions being on opposite sides of the on position.

18. In a circuit breaker, a spring-controlled, operated, circuit-controlling element constructed tol have van on position, a normal oi position, and an overload off position, the oi' positions being on opposite sides of the on position, and means for moving the element from overload off position to normal oif position, for reset, Without requiring the element to pass thru or assume its on position.

19. In a circuit breaker, a spring-controlled, operated, circuit-controlling element constructed to have an on position, a normal off position, and an overload ofi position, the off positions being on opposite sides of the on position, and means for moving the element from overload off position to normal off position, for reset, without requring the element to pass thru or assume its on position, the element, on the following cycle of movements, traversing an arc of 360, without its path doubling back on itself on-overload oil-normal off-on.

20. In a circuitbreaker, a spring-controlled, operated, circuit-controlling element constructed to have an on position, a normal off position, and an overload oif position, the oi positions being on opposite sides of the on position, and means for moving the element from overload off position to normal oi position, for reset, Without requiring the element to pass thru or assume its on position, the supporting center for the element remaining i-lxed on all movements thereof, with the elements traversing different arcs, with respect to said center, on switching movements, as contrasted with overload and reset movement.

21. In a circuit breaker, a spring-controlled, operated, circuit-controlling element constructed to have an on position, a normal off position, and an overload off position, the off positionsbeing on opposite sides of the on position, and ymeans for moving the element from overload off position to normal off position, for reset, Without requiring the element to pass thru or assume its on position, the supporting center for the element shifting, with the elements traversing diierent arcs, with respect to said center, on switching movements, asy contrasted with overloadv and reset movement.

22.4 In a circuit breaker, a handle, a vcontact arm, overload release holding means normally holding said contact arm in on position and automatically'operable to release `said contact arm on overload, the contact arm being constructed'to' reset a` part of said holding lmeans into holding position automatically after release movement of the holding means, as and `when the lcontact arm moves out of on positionv on release, and before the remainder of the holding means returns to holding position.

23. In a circuit breaker, a handle, a contact arm, overloadrelease holding means normally holding said contact arm in on position and automatically operable to release said contact arm on overload, the contact arm being constructed to reset a part of said holding means into holding position automatically after release movement of the holding means, as and when the contact arm moves out of on position on release, and before the remainder of the .holding means returns to holding position, and without requiring a reset movement of thc handle.

WILLIAM H. FRANK, II. JOSEPH A. MESSING. 

